BATON ROUGE — State health officials have confirmed 23 cases of cyclosporiasis in Louisiana, a gastrointestinal infection triggered by a microscopic parasite found in tainted food and water. The current case count sits slightly higher than the state's five-year average of 20 infections tracked over the same seasonal timeframe.
Medical officials reported that one individual required hospitalization due to the illness, though no fatalities have been linked to the state's infections. A spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Health noted that ongoing investigations could reveal additional cases in the coming days.
The parasite, which typically hitches a ride on fresh produce like herbs, berries, and lettuce, can trigger severe symptoms such as explosive diarrhea, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and fever. These symptoms generally surface about a week after a person consumes contaminated food or water, lasting anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Health officials warn that if the infection is left untreated, patients may experience a relapse where symptoms return after seemingly clearing up.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cyclosporiasis cannot be passed from person to person. The illness spreads strictly through contaminated food and water, but people can lower their risk of infection by thoroughly scrubbing hands and washing raw produce during food preparation.